The Kazmer Report

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

The last week has been painful. And it hasn’t solely been based on Pittsburgh sports.
Between the Pirates historic collapse, Pitt’s disastrous losses to Youngstown State and Cincinnati and the Steelers defeat in Denver, I have been dealing with an even bigger pain — a kidney stone.
The sports woes and the stone trouble are not, however, without similarities. Both brought disappointment, feelings of helplessness — and of course pain — in the latter case lots of pain.
The kidney stone is gone now. It passed after a torturous moment in the Gettysburg visitors center. A weekend away was nearly spoiled by the concentration of particles. It was my fourth bout with the horrid rocks. While still standing, I would like to avoid round No. 5.
So perhaps as I turn a corner on that front, Pittsburgh sports will turn around its own state of affairs. It isn’t looking good for the Buccos — or Pitt.
Lets hope the Steelers are better than they played Sunday, and that the Jets are worse than they appeared against the Bills. That’s the Week 2 matchup.
On a positive note my fantasy team had a nice win.

My starting roster
Tom Brady
Darren McFadden
Steven Jackson
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
DeSean Jackson
Torrey Smith
Aaron Hernandez
Vikings D (or 49ers)
Jason Hanson

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

It is an interesting time for Pittsburgh sports —mainly because the Pirates remain relevant as fall approaches.
Fans can’t decide whether to watch Bucco baseball or Steeler preseason games. This, for the last 20 years, has been a no-brainer for fans.
Imagine the decisions fans will have to make if the Pirates are in the playoffs when hockey season starts. Three sports with competitive teams.
The topic doesn’t make for the most interesting radio banter. The Fan, out of Pittsburgh, dedicated several segments to fans describing how they decided to follow both the Pirates game and the Steelers game on Sunday, Aug. 19.
You would swear some of these people were making major life changing decisions — based on how they described the harrowing deliberations they went through. It is not that bad, that’s what the make “LAST” buttons on remotes for. Channel surf. Crazy fans aside, Pittsburgh is fortunate when it comes to professional sports — just look at Cleveland — where poor play has likely caused a lot stranger fans.

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

This is the first time in my life that I have followed the Olympic Games.
I am greatly impressed by the athleticism of the world’s athletes. I don’t know why I haven’t noticed the physical prowess demonstrated during the games in the past. Maybe since I am getting older those feats seem more impressive — as ever participating in many of the sports becomes more remote with each passing year.
China and the United States continue to trade the lead for most medals won. As of Monday China was winning with 64 total medals, America had 63.
China’s athletes are intense. A commentator during a diving event said one of their athletes wasn’t told a relative died because it would hinder her practice schedule — that’s dedication.
More Olympic news found here.

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

I have not been posting much about the Pirates this season.
In the heat of my weekly, sometimes daily posts last year (still visible if you search back far enough) I commented on a lot of the games — until that horrible call at the plate by Umpire Jerry Meals ruined the entire season.
I won’t make any bad calls this year on this blog. I have some opinions on who I think the Pirates should deal, send down or bring up. But the Buccos are doing well — I won’t send any bad mojo by criticizing them — at least for now. STANDINGS.

If you have been reading the Daily American lately you will have noticed a few stories about drought watches and dry crops. Well, it has rained steady in areas of Somerset County for close to a week. On Saturday, July 21’s weather page there is a story about a flood watch in Pittsburgh. The weather is exceptionally unpredictable this year.

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

I am sure there is a good reason for this.
The military has resumed sinking aging warships in the Atlantic ocean — for target practice.
Despite environmental concerns and the fact that the price of scrap is high (see last post), I am sure there is a valid reason for this.
The Navy lifted a moratorium on the sinking exercises after reviewing cost requirements, environmental impacts and other benefits.
Targets include vessels that are more than 300 yards long. Thousands of pounds of metal and other materials sent to the deep. The Navy said shooting down the old ships is a great exercise.
I guess that’s the best reason for this.

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

I recently started recycling aluminum cans.
I heard from a friend that the price of aluminum is high. I haven’t yet cashed in on my collection. I have about half a garbage bag full.
The hobby — if you will call it that — has left me scanning the roadside for cans. I find myself picking up cans during my daily jog. I have found two on my walk to and from work each day.
They were beer cans.
When I got back home I was wondering why I got so many looks from people passing by. I guess a guy in a shirt and tie carrying a beer can along Main Street in the late afternoon is unusual?
The public scrutiny will be worth it once I gain my aluminum can windfall. More on can scrapping.

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

You know the scene from the movie “Office Space” where they beat the printer with a baseball bat?
I am at that point. There is nothing more frustrating than a clicking, toner spewing printer. It is a messy frustrating circumstance.
No, I am not going to club the Kyocera to pieces with an office phone — as stress reducing as that might be. This rant will have to suffice.
I just found a cartoon that pretty much sums up the feeling I get when dealing with a bum printer. I also just realized the irony in the fact that I am trying to print out this cartoon to share with others. I will bypass that ironic action with you. and here.

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

I am usually a coward when it comes to ghosts.
I have no desire to see one — and I don’t even know if I believe they exist. But if they do I am quite content to be oblivious.
So I surprised myself last weekend when I willingly went on a “ghost tour” of the Jennie Wade house in Gettysburg. The home is notorious for its supernatural happenings.
She was making bread for union troops when her home was sprayed with gunfire. She died on the kitchen floor. Dough remained on her hands when she was buried.
Bullet holes and even a cannon shell are part of the relics that remain in the house from the harsh fighting that lasted from July 1 to 3 in 1863. The Civil War lasted about two more years, however, this battle is considered by many to have been the turning point. Thousands of soldiers were killed on both sides. Wade was the only civilian killed. She is buried in a cemetery a few hundred yards from where she died. The graves of thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers surround Wade’s resting place. If ever a place was haunted, Gettysburg would be it.
The tour guide had a disclaimer before the tour. Something about how certain people can experience ghosts, while others can’t. She cited several network shows that have documented the strange and unusual in the house. Its reputation as being haunted is legitimate.
Nothing happened on my tour. I felt claustrophobic in the home. But the ceilings were low.
The strangest part about the tour was a recording the guide played at the end. The audio was said to have been recorded during the offseason. The voice of a child is clear. So is the grumbling of an old man. If the recording is legitimate it is substantial evidence.
After the tour there was an unexpected fireworks show in town. Some people standing nearby thought the explosions were in celebration of the local college graduation. I closed my eyes and imagined the scene nearly 150 years before — as gun powder erupted and the cacophony echoed off the old brick buildings.
Gettysburg’s historic significance is reason enough to visit the town. And I recommend the trip. For those who like a supernatural thrill, there are plenty of people making money off ghost walks in town.
More on the town.

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

This blog post is intended to make clear a few comments from the Daily American Debate in the Tuesday, May 29, edition.
The freedom of speech is one of the most important features of the country’s government. That should include the ability for anonymous speech — including online comments.
In the latest debate I argued (for the sake of argument and the continuation of that weekly feature) that there was some degree of merit to a bill proposed in Albany, N.Y., that would outlaw unidentified online posts.
While some positive things, including cutting back on cyberbullying, could be accomplished, too much about free speech would be put at risk.
The shield for anonymous speech online is big.
It fortunately allows noble viewpoints to be made public. But unfortunately it protects heinous opinions to be posted by people who won’t identify themselves as well.
The Albany measure should not be passed into law. But the online posters should also be conscientious when making comments.
One more thing: on a practical level it would be impossible to police such a measure in the first place.
For more information go here.

By Rick Kazmer
rickk@dailyamerican.com

An Australian billionaire is planning to build a second Titanic.
Clive Palmer’s vision, according to newspaper reports, is almost an exact copy of the ill-fated vessel that hit an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the ocean in 1912.
Of course the modern version would have all of the latest amenities — the smoke stacks would just be for show.
The Chinese are building the Titanic II. The Chinese navy is planning to escort the vessel to New York.
It is on that point that I am writing this blog entry. There is something strange about the thought of the reincarnated Titanic finishing its predecessor’s route in the company of the Chinese navy. Perhaps this is a way for the Chinese to flaunt their growing influence on the world — here Great Britain and America, we built one that didn’t sink.
Of course, that has yet to be seen. Either this is a decent tribute to a maritime tragedy, or a brazen tease of fate — I haven’t decided yet. More here.